Protective windshield system

ABSTRACT

A system that includes a protective windshield system that deflects particulate away from a vehicle. The protective windshield system includes a sensor that senses the particulate and emits a signal indicative of the particulate. A deflection system deflects the particulate away from the vehicle. A controller couples to the sensor and to the deflection system. The controller detects the particulate and activates the deflection system to deflect the particulate away from the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority toU.S. provisional application No. 62/814,079, entitled “PROTECTIVEWINDSHIELD SYSTEM,” filed Mar. 5, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it may be understood that these statements areto be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Vehicle windshields are frequently damaged from car accidents,temperature changes, as well as various debris (e.g., asphalt, rock)found on roads. For example, as vehicles travel at high speeds onroadways their tires may lift debris into the air. This debris maycontact a trailing vehicle's windshield at high speeds creating a chipin the windshield glass. Over time, the chip may grow into a largercrack, which may result in an expensive windshield replacement.

SUMMARY

A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. Itshould be understood that these aspects are presented merely to providethe reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and thatthese aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may notbe set forth below.

In one example, the disclosure includes a system with a protectivewindshield system that deflects particulate away from a vehicle. Theprotective windshield system includes a sensor that senses theparticulate and emits a signal indicative of the particulate. Adeflection system deflects the particulate away from the vehicle. Acontroller couples to the sensor and to the deflection system. Thecontroller detects the particulate and activates the deflection systemto deflect the particulate away from the vehicle.

In another example, the disclosure includes a method for protecting avehicle with a protective windshield system. The method includesdetecting a particulate's size and a particulate's velocity. The methoddetermines a probable location of particulate impact on the vehicleusing the detected particulate size and the detected particulatevelocity. The method then activates the protective windshield system toprotect the vehicle from a particulate strike.

In another example, the disclosure includes a vehicle window opacitysystem. The system includes a vehicle window and a liquid crystaldisplay coupled to the vehicle window. A controller couples to theliquid crystal display and controls the liquid crystal display to reduceand/or block light from passing through the vehicle window.

Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation tovarious aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also beincorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements andadditional features may exist individually or in any combination. Forinstance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more ofthe illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of theabove-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in anycombination. The brief summary presented above is intended only tofamiliarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodimentsof the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a protective windshieldsystem, in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a vehicle with a protective windshield system,in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a vehicle with a protective windshieldsystem, in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method for protecting a vehiclewith a protective windshield system, in accordance with embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a vehicle window opacitysystem, in accordance with embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a vehicle window opacitysystem, in accordance with embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effortto provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all featuresof an actual implementation are described in the specification. Itshould be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

As mentioned above, vehicle windshields may be damaged by debris, suchas gravel and asphalt, kicked up by vehicles traveling at high speeds onroadways. As the debris contacts a trailing vehicle's windshield, it mayform a chip in the glass. Over time, the chip may grow into a largecrack that extends in one or more directions along the windshield. Inorder to block and/or reduce chipping of a windshield, a vehicle mayinclude a protective windshield system. As will be explained below, theprotective windshield system deflects debris away from the windshield bychanging the airflow over an exterior surface of the vehicle, whichmoves the particulate away from the windshield. While the figuresdescribed below include a car as the vehicle, it should be understoodthat the term vehicle includes trucks, sport utility vehicles, boats,motorcycles, buses, among others. Furthermore, while the disclosurefocuses on protection of windshields, it should be understood that thedisclosed protective windshield system may also be employed to protectother aspects of a vehicle (e.g., sensors, antenna, and lights).

The disclosure below also describes a vehicle window opacity systemcapable of changing the amount of light that passes through one or morevehicle windows. For example, the vehicle window opacity system maydecrease the opacity of the windshield in response to direct sunlight,vehicle headlights, etc. to assist a driver in viewing his or hersurroundings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 10 with a protectivewindshield system 12. In operation, the protective windshield system 12enables the detection and deflection of particulate material that maystrike a windshield 14 (or other area) of the vehicle 10. The protectivewindshield system 12 may include multiple sensors 16 that enableparticulate detection and tracking. These sensors 16 may couple to thevehicle 10 in various locations including the bumper 18, vehicle roof20, rear view mirror 21, dashboard 22, hood 24, among others.

The sensors 16 may include an optical camera, LIDAR, and/or radarsensors that can be used to detect and track particulate. In someembodiments, the protective windshield system 12 may include differenttypes of sensors 16 to provide redundant detection and tracking ofparticulate. For example, a controller 26 of the protective windshieldsystem 12 may use an optical sensor in combination with a radar sensor.In operation, the controller 26 compares the signals from the opticalsensor and the radar sensor to confirm detection of particulateapproaching the windshield 14. In addition to redundant detection andtracking of the particulate, the protective windshield system 12 mayinclude different types of sensors 16 in order to provide detection andtracking of particulate in different kinds of weather (e.g., rain, snow)and/or light conditions (e.g., night, morning, day, evening). Forexample, an optical sensor, such as a camera, may not be able to detectparticulate at night or in lowlight conditions. Accordingly, byincluding another type of sensor 16, such as radar or LIDAR, theprotective windshield system 12 may still detect and track particulateapproaching the windshield 14 in various conditions (e.g., low light).

In some embodiments, the controller 26 may receive additional input fromother sensors 16 as well as the vehicle 10. For example, the protectivewindshield system 12 may include one or more sensors 16 (e.g., airflowsensors) that detect the magnitude and direction of the wind withrespect to the vehicle 10 (e.g., crosswinds). The controller 26 may usethis information to determine whether the particulate will strike thevehicle 10 as well as where on the vehicle 10 the particulate willstrike. That is, the sensors 16 may enable the controller 26 todetermine if wind blowing around the vehicle 10 (e.g., crosswinds) willpush the particulate sufficiently out of the path of the oncomingwindshield 14. The controller 26 may also receive input regarding thevehicle's speed and atmospheric conditions, which may enable thecontroller 26 determine a boundary layer (e.g., fluid conditionsproximate the vehicle's outermost surfaces) surrounding the vehicle 10and the effect the boundary layer will have on the particulate.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 26 includes a processor28, such as the illustrated microprocessor 28. The controller 26 mayalso include one or more memory or storage devices 30 as well as othersuitable components. The processor 28 may be used to execute software,such as software that enables the protective windshield system 12 todetect the size, velocity, and trajectory of particulate relative to thevehicle 10. Moreover, the processor 28 may include multiplemicroprocessors, one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one ormore special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. Forexample, the processor 28 may include one or more reduced instructionset computer (RISC) processors.

The memory device 30 may include a volatile memory, such as randomaccess memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-onlymemory (ROM). The memory device 30 may store a variety of informationand may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device 30may store processor executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software)for the processor 28 to execute, such as instructions for activating adeflection system 32 that deflects particulate away from the windshield14 and/or other portions of the vehicle 10. The storage device(s) (e.g.,nonvolatile memory) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or anyother suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or acombination thereof. The storage device(s) may store data, instructions,and any other suitable data.

The deflection system 32 may include a plurality of conduits 34positioned at various locations on the vehicle 10. For example, theconduits 34 may be positioned in and/or on a vehicle grill 36, thevehicle hood 24, the windshield pillars, among other locations on thevehicle 10. These conduits 34 may receive compressed air and/or anotherfluid (e.g., water) through lines that connect to one or morecompressors 38. In some embodiments, the release of compressed airthrough the conduits 34 may be simultaneous. That is, once thecontroller 26 detects that a rock, a piece of asphalt, bug, bird poop,and/or other particulate will contact the windshield 14, the controller26 may signal the compressor 38 to release compressed air to all of theconduits 34. This may create a type of air wall that deflects theparticulate away from the windshield 14 or other feature/portion of thevehicle 10. In some embodiments, the air may also atomize someparticulate matter (e.g., bird poop) so that a large mass does not coverthe windshield and reduce a driver's visibility. In some embodiments,the release of compressed air from the conduits 34 may be localized. Inother words, not all of the conduits 34 may simultaneously releasecompressed air. For example, the protective windshield system 12 mayinclude release systems and/or mechanisms that selectively control therelease of compressed air from individual conduits 34 and/or groups ofconduits 34. This may conserve energy and make the deflection system 32more efficient. In operation, the controller 26 may detect particulateas well as determine the probable impact location on the vehicle 10(e.g., upper right-hand corner of the windshield 14). Activation orrelease of compressed air from all of the conduits 34 may therefore beunnecessary. Accordingly, the controller 26 may control the release ofcompressed air from a subset of the conduits 34 that are proximate theimpact area and/or most able to deflect particulate away from thevehicle 10.

The protective windshield system 12 may also detect the size of theparticulate with the sensors 16. The controller 26 may take into accountthe size of the particulate in determining the number and the locationof conduits 34 to be activated. For example, if the particulate issmall, a limited number of conduits 34 may be used. In contrast, if theparticulate is large, the controller 26 may release air through agreater number of conduits 34. In a different embodiment, the largerparticulate may be manipulated by focusing output via a limited numberof conduits 34. For example, all pressure available to the system may beoutput via a small subset or a single one of the conduits 34 to focusenergy and increase the likelihood of moving the particle away from animpact zone. In some embodiments, the amount and/or pressure of the airreleased by the conduits 34 may also be adjusted to account for the sizethe particulate. For example, if the particulate is large the pressureof the air released through the conduit 34 may be greater than if theparticulate were small.

The controller 26 may also take into account the velocity of theparticulate in determining the number of conduits 34 to be activatedand/or the pressure of the air released through the conduit 34. Forexample, a small particulate traveling at a high speed may have amomentum greater than a large particulate traveling at a slow speed. Thecontroller 26 may therefore release air through more conduits 34 and/orair at a greater pressure to deflect a small particulate traveling athigh speed than it would for a large particulate traveling at a slowspeed.

As illustrated, the conduits 34 may come in a variety of sizes andshapes. For example, the conduits 34 may have round outlets, squareoutlets, rectangular outlets, oval outlets, among others. The conduits34 may also be organized into rows and/or groupings in order tofacilitate deflection of particulate away from the vehicle 10, and inparticular the windshield 14. In other words, a matrix of the conduits34 may be utilized to facilitate efficient targeting.

In some embodiments, the protective windshield system 12 may determinethat the particulate will contact the windshield 14 even with activationof the deflection system 32. In response to this condition, theprotective windshield system 12 may activate the deflection system 32 toredirect the particulate to a position on the vehicle 10 and/orwindshield that will create the least damage (e.g., easily replaceablepart, least expensive part). The deflection system 32 may also becontrolled to put a spin on an object so that the particulate glancesoff the vehicle 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle 10 with a protectivewindshield system 12. In some embodiments, the protective windshieldsystem 12 may use the sensors 16 to detect nearby traffic (e.g., cars,trucks, animals, pedestrians). The controller 26 may take into accountthe detected traffic when activating the deflection system 32. Forexample, if traffic is detected behind the vehicle 10, the controller 26may activate the deflection system 32 to redirect the particulate to theright or left of the vehicle 10 and therefore away from the detectedtraffic. The controller 26 may also drive the particulate away fromneighboring traffic by driving the particulate further away from thetraffic. For example, if traffic is detected to the right of thevehicle, the controller 26 may increase the pressure and/or air volume(e.g., number of conduits 34) used by the deflection system 32 in orderto drive the particulate far enough to the right to avoid contact withthe detected traffic. In another example, the controller 26 may lift theparticulate far enough in the air that traffic behind the vehicle 10 maypass underneath the particulate.

In order to drive the particulate to the left and/or to the right of thevehicle 10, the conduits 34 may be angled relative to a central axis 50of the vehicle 10. For example, the conduits 34 may be arranged intogroups that are angled towards the left of the vehicle 10 as well as tothe right of the vehicle 10. The conduits 34 may also be placedproximate the windshield pillars or beams 52 located on the left andright sides of the windshield 14 to facilitate driving particulate tothe left and to the right of the vehicle 10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle 70 with a protectivewindshield system 72. In operation, the protective windshield system 72enables the detection and deflection of particulate material that maystrike a windshield 74 of the vehicle 10. The protective windshieldsystem 72 may include multiple sensors 76 that enable particulatedetection and tracking. These sensors 76 may couple to the vehicle 70 invarious locations including the bumper, vehicle roof, rear view mirror,dashboard, hood, among others to facilitate particulate detection.

The sensors 76 may include an optical camera, LIDAR, and/or radarsensors that enable detection and tracking of particulate. In someembodiments, the protective windshield system 72 may include differenttypes of sensors 76 to provide redundant detection and tracking ofparticulate, as well as detection and tracking of particulate indifferent kinds of weather (e.g., rain, snow) and/or light conditions(e.g., night, morning, day, evening).

A controller 78 may also receive additional input from additionalsensors 76 as well as the vehicle 70. For example, the protectivewindshield system 72 may include one or more sensors (e.g., airflowsensors) that enable the detection of wind with respect to the vehicle70 (e.g., crosswind). These sensors 76 may detect the magnitude anddirection of the wind with respect to the vehicle 70. The controller 78may use this information to determine whether the particulate willstrike the vehicle 70 as well as where on the vehicle 70 the particulatewill strike. That is, the sensors 76 may enable the controller 78 todetermine if wind blowing around the vehicle 10 will push theparticulate sufficiently out of the path of the oncoming windshield 74.The controller 78 may also receive input regarding the vehicle's speed,which may enable the controller 78 determine the effect of the boundarylayer around the vehicle on the particulate.

The controller 78 includes a processor 80, such as the illustratedmicroprocessor, and a memory device 82. The processor 80 may be used toexecute software, such as software that enables the protectivewindshield system 72 to detect the size, velocity, and trajectory ofparticulate relative to the vehicle 70. The memory device 30 may storeprocessor executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for theprocessor 80 to execute, such as instructions for activating thedeflection system 83 that deflects particulate away from the windshield74 and/or other portions of the vehicle 70.

The deflection system 83 may include one or more rigid and/or semi-rigidflaps 84 positioned at various locations on the vehicle 10. For example,the flaps 84 may be positioned in and/or on a vehicle grill, the vehiclehood, among other locations on the vehicle 70. The flaps 84 may bothphysically deflect particulate away from the windshield 74 and/or changethe boundary layer, which may then carry the particulate away from thewindshield 74 (e.g., over the windshield 74, to the side of the vehicle10, under the vehicle 10) depending on the orientation of the flaps 84.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the original boundary layer of air over thevehicle 70 is illustrated by the dashed line 86. As the flaps 84transition from a lowered position to a raised position, the flaps 84change the boundary layer from its original position illustrated bydashed line 86 to a second or raised position illustrated by the solidline 88. In the raised position illustrated by solid line 88, theboundary layer is further away from the exterior surface of the vehicle70 and thus from the windshield 74. Accordingly, as particulateapproaches the windshield 74 in direction 90, the particulate may becomeentrained in the raised boundary layer illustrated by line 88 andcarried up and over the vehicle 70 in direction 92, which may blockcontact between the particulate and the windshield 74.

The deflection system 83 may include multiple flaps 84. These flaps 84(e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) may be arranged sequentially from thefront of the vehicle 70 towards the windshield 74. The deflection system83 may also include multiple flaps 84 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more)that extend across the vehicle 70 in direction 94. By including multipleflaps that extend across the vehicle 70 in direction 94, the deflectionsystem may activate some of the flaps 84 depending on the projectedpoint of impact on the vehicle 70. For example, if the projected impactis expected to contact the left half of the windshield 74, thedeflection system 83 may activate the flaps 84 on the left side of thevehicle 70.

The controller 78 activates the flaps 84 with actuators 96. Theactuators 96 rotate the flaps 84 between a raised and a lowered positiondepending on the detection of particulate. That is, when the controller78 detects that a rock, a piece of asphalt and/or, other particulatewill contact the windshield 74, the controller 78 may signal theactuators 96 to rotate the flaps 84. As the flaps 84 rotate, they changethe boundary layer that extends around the vehicle 70. The boundarylayer of air may then carry the particulate up, over the vehicle 70, andout of contact with the windshield 74. In some embodiments, thecontroller 78 may not raise the flaps 84 to a fully raised position butinstead to a position between a fully raised position and a loweredposition. For example, the controller 78 in response to feedback fromthe sensors 76 may determine what change in the boundary layer willblock and/or reduce contact with the windshield 74. In response, thecontroller 78 may determine that the flaps 84 may remain in a loweredposition, a completely raised position, or a position between acompletely raised position and completely lowered position. By tailoringthe response of the flaps 84, depending on the projected impact, thedeflection system 83 may reduce its impact on the fuel efficiency of thevehicle 70. That is, the deflection system 83 may reduce the effect ithas on the aerodynamic resistance of the vehicle 70 as it travelsthrough air. It should be understood that in some embodiments, aprotective windshield system (e.g., protective windshield system 12, 72)may include both the deflection system 83 and the deflection system 32.Together the deflection systems 83 and 32 may reduce or block contact ofparticulate with a vehicle windshield or another part of the vehicle.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method 120 of protecting a vehiclewith a protective windshield system 12, 72. It should be understood thatthe method 120 below may include some or all the steps illustrated.Furthermore, it should be understood that the steps of the method 120may not be performed in the specific order shown. The method 120illustrated in FIG. 4 begins by detecting the size of the particulate,step 122. The method 120 may also detect the velocity of theparticulate, step 124. By detecting the size and the velocity of theparticulate, the method 120 may determine the momentum of theparticulate. The momentum of the particulate may then be used by theprotective windshield system 12, 72 to determine an appropriate responsewith the deflection system 32 and/or 83. The method 120 may then detecta velocity of the vehicle and thus characteristics of the boundary layeraround the vehicle. In some embodiments, the method 120 may also detectany crosswinds, which may drive the particulate away from the vehicleand/or change its potential impact location, step 128. After collectingthe size of the particulate, the velocity of the particulate, thevelocity of the vehicle, and any crosswind, the method 120 determines ifthe particulate will contact the vehicle, step 130.

If the particulate is unlikely to contact or will not contact thevehicle, the method 120 returns to step 122 where it continues tomonitor and detect particulate. If the answer is yes, the method 120determines the probable location of a particulate strike, step 132. Themethod 120 may then determine the existence and location of neighboringtraffic, step 134. As explained above, neighboring traffic may includepedestrians and/or other vehicles nearby. By detecting neighboringtraffic, the protective windshield system 12, 72 may block and/or reducecontact between the particulate and neighboring traffic while drivingparticulate away from the vehicle. The method 120 then activates thedeflection system 32, 83 to deflect particulate away from the windshieldand/or other portions of the vehicle. As explained above, the protectivewindshield system 12, 72 may use compressed air discharged through oneor more conduits 34 and/or raise flaps 84 of the deflection system(s)32, 83 to change the boundary layer of air moving over the vehicle todrive particulate away from the vehicle (e.g., windshield). In someembodiments, other compressed fluids (e.g., water) may be utilized. Insome embodiments, multiple fluids may be used together or selected basedon the nature of the deflection desired. For example, water may beselected to deflect a piece of particulate that is deemed to have arelatively large mass while air may be used to deflect a smaller mass.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle 150 with a vehicle windowopacity system 152. In operation, the vehicle window opacity system 152controls the intensity of light entering the vehicle 150 by activating aliquid crystal display 154 coupled to the windshield 156. The liquidcrystal display 154 may extend over the entire windshield 156 or just aportion of it. For example, the liquid crystal display 154 may extendover 1-25%, 1-50%, 1-75% of the windshield 156 in a direction extendingfrom a first end 158 towards a second end 160 of the windshield 156.

The vehicle window opacity system 152 may include one or more sensors162 (e.g., optical sensors) that detect the position of a vehicledriver's eyes as well as the location of incoming light from a lightsource external to the vehicle 150 (e.g., sun, vehicle headlamps). Thesensors 162 couple to a controller 164. In response to informationreceived, the controller 164 executes instructions stored on a memory166 with a processor 168 to change the opacity of the liquid crystaldisplay 154 to block and/or reduce the intensity of external light onthe driver's eyes. For example, the sensors 162 may detect directsunlight at the eye level of the driver. The controller 164 may thendarken the liquid crystal display 154 at the eye level of the driver toblock and/or reduce the intensity of this light. In some embodiments,the vehicle window opacity system 152 may also take into account theeyes of passengers in the vehicle in addition to the driver's andcustomizes the darkening of the liquid crystal display for both thedriver and the passenger(s). That is, more of the liquid crystal display154 may darken depending on the eye level of the driver and thepassenger. In some embodiments and depending on the eye level of thepassenger more of the liquid crystal display 154 may darken proximate apassenger than proximate the driver or vise versa. For example, if thepassenger is shorter than the driver more of the liquid crystal display154 proximate the passenger may darken than for the driver in orderreduce the intensity of light reaching the eyes of the passenger. Theextent of the darkening may also be customized depending on the desireof the driver and/or passenger(s). For example, some drivers/passengersmay want to block all light at eye level while others may want areduction in the intensity. The vehicle window opacity system 152 maytherefore include input devices (e.g., buttons) that enable adjustmentof the liquid crystal display's opacity.

In some embodiments, the vehicle window opacity system 152 may beincorporated into other windows of the vehicle 150 (e.g., side windows,rear window). The vehicle window opacity system 152 may block or reducelight through these windows as well. In some embodiments, the vehiclewindow opacity system 152 may be used to block/censor items frompassenger view (e.g., children) such as adult establishments, carwrecks, objectionable advertisements, among others.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle 150 with the vehicle windowopacity system 152 in an active state. As explained above, in the activestate the vehicle window opacity system 152 reduces and/or blocks lightthrough a vehicle window, such as the windshield 156. While FIG. 6illustrates the vehicle window opacity system 152 reducing light throughthe entire windshield 156, it should be understood that the vehiclewindow opacity system 152 may reduce and/or block light through only aportion of the windshield 156 and/or another window of the vehicle 150.In some embodiments, the vehicle window opacity system 152 may vary theopacity of one or more windows on the vehicle 150 relative to otherwindows. For example, the vehicle window opacity system 152 may decreasethe opacity of side windows relative to the windshield 156 in responsesun hitting the side windows. In still other embodiments, the vehiclewindow opacity system 152 may vary the opacity at various locations on asingle window.

The technical effects of the systems and methods described hereininclude detecting particulate that may contact a vehicle with acontroller coupled to one or more sensors. The controller may thenactivate a particulate deflection system in response to the detectedparticulate to deflect particulate away from the vehicle, which mayblock and/or reduce particulate strikes on the vehicle (e.g.,windshield). Another technical effect of the systems and methodsdescribed therein include the ability to change the opacity of a vehiclewindow.

While only certain features of disclosed embodiments have beenillustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes willoccur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understoodthat the appended claims are intended to cover all such modificationsand changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a protectivewindshield system configured to deflect particulate away from a vehicle,the protective windshield system comprising: a sensor configured tosense the particulate and to emit a signal indicative of theparticulate; a deflection system configured to deflect the particulateaway from the vehicle; and a controller coupled to the sensor and to thedeflection system, wherein the controller is configured to detect theparticulate and a probable location of particulate impact based on thesignal indicative of the particulate and to activate the deflectionsystem to deflect the particulate away from the vehicle based on theprobable location of the particulate impact.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the deflection system comprises a pressurized fluid source. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein the deflection system comprises a conduitfluidly coupled to the pressurized fluid source and configured to directpressurized fluid from the pressurized fluid source.
 4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the pressurized fluid source is a compressed air sourceconfigured to release compressed air to deflect the particulate awayfrom the vehicle.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein the pressurizedfluid source is a compressed liquid source configured to release acompressed liquid to deflect the particulate away from the vehicle. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the deflection system comprises one ormore flaps, and wherein the one or more flaps are configured to contactthe particulate and/or change a flow of air around the vehicle todeflect the particulate away from the vehicle.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the sensor comprises at least one of a radar sensor, an opticalsensor, and a LIDAR sensor.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to detect neighboring traffic with the sensorand to activate the deflection system to deflect the particulate awayfrom the vehicle and away from the neighboring traffic.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine the probablelocation of particulate impact on the vehicle based on a movement of theparticulate.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to determine a plurality of deflection systems to activatebased on a size of the particulate a velocity of the particulate. 11.The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determinea trajectory of the particulate in relation to the vehicle.
 12. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the one or more flaps are configured tochange the flow of air around the vehicle to adjust a boundary layeraround the vehicle, the boundary layer being configured to deflect theparticulate away from the vehicle.
 13. A method for protecting a vehiclefrom particulate impact with a protective windshield system, the methodcomprising: detecting a size of a particulate; detecting a velocity ofthe particulate; determining a probable location of the particulateimpact on the vehicle using the size of the particulate and the velocityof the particulate; and activating the protective windshield system toprotect the vehicle from the particulate impact.
 14. The method of claim13, comprising detecting a vehicle velocity, and wherein determining theprobable location of the particulate impact comprises using the vehiclevelocity.
 15. The method of claim 13, comprising detecting a crosswindrelative to the vehicle and wherein determining the probable location ofthe particulate impact comprises using the crosswind.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, comprising detecting a location of neighboring traffic anddeflecting the particulate away from the vehicle and the location of theneighboring traffic with the protective windshield system.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, wherein activating the protective windshield systemcomprises releasing a compressed fluid that deflects the particulateaway from the vehicle.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein activatingthe protective windshield system comprises activating one or more flaps.19. A system configured to deflect particulate away from a vehicle, thesystem comprising: a controller configured to: detect a size of theparticulate; detect a velocity of the particulate; determine a probablelocation of impact of the particulate on the vehicle using the size ofthe particulate and the velocity of the particulate; and activate aprotective windshield system based on the probable location of theimpact of the particulate on the vehicle.